Ration-balancing contrivance.



W. C. PALMER.

RAMON BALANCING CONTHIVANCE.

APPLICATION FILED FB. I9. IQIH.

Patented Dc. 3l, 1913.

' single card, a calory card.

RATION-BALANVCING CONTIVANCE.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patentgd Dec. 31, 1918..

" Application niearebfuar 19,11918. seri-a1 N9. 218,118.

T0 all whom t may conce/rfa.' v

Be it known that I, WILLIAM C. PALMER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Agricultural College, in the county of Cass and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improven'ients in Ration-Balancing Contrivance's; and I do hereby declare the 'following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will' enable others skilled inthe art to which it appertains to make and use the saine.

My invention has for its object to provide a new contrivance for representing graphically the nutrients in definite amounts of food in relation to the daily, weekly or yearly food requirements of yman (andas these requirements are affected .by age, seX or occupation), or animals (and as their requirements are aiected by age, work, production or purpose for which the animals are kept).

The fundamental idea of the invention is:

l. To represent lthe food requirement or ration by two fields, the one indicating calories, or energy, heat and fat producing nutrients, and the other indicating' the protein. the building and repair nutrients). (In animal rations the'tl1er1n(l,000 calories) is usedin place of calories'in'hurnan rations). A. more common usage though, is to use carbo-hydrates, fat and ber.

'2. To represent the nutrients in definite amounts of each food by cards. certain of which represent calories and othersrepresent protein. Each card represents the amounts of one class of nutrients in a definite amount of a food and are made on a scale proportionate to the respective fields with which they are used. Most foods require two cards, the one made in proportion to the calories and the other in proportion to the protein that the food portion contains. Some foods, as butter, sugar. fats and oils contain. no protein yand are represented by a l Some fruits and vegetablesy contain so little protein that a card to representl it would be too sinall to carry the necessary data and the amount of protein is so small that it iis quite negligible in the ration, for these only a calory card is used.

Foods also contain minerals and the so` called vitamins, which are essential to the body and their presence in the different food portions may be indicated on the l(':ar ls,'or,

as they are better understood, they may be represented by another field and set of cards, but for the purposeof this case it is not thought'necessary to illustrate the same:

To make up a. ration, select from the cards the ones 'bearing the names of the Jfoods desired and place the calory cards on the calory-field, and when a food portioncon-y tains the two kinds of nutrients it will, of course, be necessary to look up the companion protein card and place the same on the protein eld. The cards need not exactly cover the field for the reason that rations are not exact, but rather approximations.

To assist'in the :selection and assembling of the cardsl on the fields the calory field and cardsare made the same color or design, with. certain exceptions mentioned below, and the protein 4field and cards are made the same color or design.

To the above end, generally stated, the invention consist-s of the novel construction and arrangement Vof parts hereinafter described anddefined in the claims.

In vthe accompanying drawings, which illustrate one use of the invention, like characters indicate like parts throughout the several views. j

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a fragmentary view of a chart having indicated thereon, two fields in the form ofparallel bars; and

Fig. 2 is a view corresponding to F ig. l, with the exception that the fields are covered with cards indicating a balanced daily ration for a man doing light muscular work and daily ration for a boy from fteen to sixteen years.

The numeral 3 indicates a chart having indicated thereon a calory field 4, representing 3,000 calories, and a protein field 5, representing 90 grams of protein. rIfhese two fields, as shown, are in the form of parallel bars, and represent, in length. a daily ration for a man doing light muscular work and a daily ration for a boy from fifteen to sixteen years. The calory fieldfis made distinctive by giving the same a yellow color, and the pro- Jeins eld 5 is made distinctive by giving the same a green color. Associated with the elds 4:' and 5 are a number of cards, certain of which represent the calories and others of which represent the protein in definite food portions.

As previously stated,tl1e cards representa the .-proteiniield.

.60, thereon and the amount of protein is also so definitefg quan tity food antilla-re made onY a scale'proportionat'e' to' the respective fields with which they are associated. For instance, if thetcaloryffie'ld is 15 inches .long

and represent 0,000 calories, then each inch will represent 315 or 200 calories. Thus 'the calory cards forihalf f "pound of l bread,V

Which contains 600 calories,'would'bem 3 inches l ong.'- f If-the proteiir'fieldvis 15 tein, then each inch Awill represent or 6 ofl protein, would be El, or 3.5 inches in t e length. p.

)In selecting tlieportions of food kto make up a ration, the respective cards are placed end; to .end ion .the respective fields, as shown in FigzJQ, until .they substantially cover the same. To `rfacilitatefthe selecting` of the cards, the protein; field I is made, as shown, narrower than the. calory field, and the cards havethe same width as the .respective field so that they maybe more `easily distinguished from cach other.'k g

.As previously statech a. food portion .coni taining two nutrientsl requires two cards, the one representing the calories, and .indicated by the numeral 6, and the-.other representing the proteinnthat the'food ,portion contains,

and indicated fby the numera'lfi. To give the calory cards 6` a 'distinctive` characteristic and associate the same with the calory field the same are given the same color as said calory field. vLikewise, the protein cards are given the same color Yas the ,protein field.` Preferably the Color ofthe .field should be made in a ycoloiyeit-her a shadelighter or a shade darkert than the corresponding cards Gand 7 to :make it more easy to distinguish the cards when putting them down on their respective fields. v

Foods containing no protein, such as butter, sugar,v fats and oils, are represented by one card,.a..cal01y card, indicated by the numeral .8 and are made distinctive from the othervcayrds by givingthem, for instance, an orange color, and as the food .portions represented4 .by .these cards contain Vno protein, there willbe no companion protein card for ',Soxnefruits and-.vegetables contain so little ,protein Ithat `a car-d. to represent it Would be `too smal] for putting the necessary data small4 that it is quite negligible in the ration;

These fruits andvegetables are represented byfcards 9 that are made distinctive from the other cards by giving the same at red colours illustratedfin thedrawings, These ai-ds'efwnij aisee@ ,lessened withthe caiory 'eld'but there will be 'no companion protein cards. If desired. the quantity of protein'. contained. Y. in the 'fruit v.or vegetable portions may be indicated on the cards. It

z is,:ofcourse,nnderstood that, in place of the colors given, other colors or other distinctive markings may be used to characterize thediiferent fields .and cards.

YTo make upa ration, select from the cards the ones bearing the names ofthe foods de sired, place the yellow, orange and red cards on the yellowvv field, and the VVgreen cardson the green field, end to end, until said .fields are substantiallyv covered. Foods contains ing two kinds of nutrient are, as .previously described, represented by tWo cards, to-Wit: yellow for the calories yand green for the protein. In selecting a yellow card, always look npv'the corresponding or companion green card for the-same amount of food.

Indicated on each calory card, in addition to the name of the food it represents, is the price per pound, the weight and common measure the food portion represents and the cost thereof. On each protein cardisindicated, in addition -to the name ofthe food portion which -it represents, the nuinber'of grams of protein and, when available, `*the 'amount yof minerals in weight or measure. While in the drawings only enough cards are shown to represent a singleration, there will, as `previously stated, be provided, With each contrivance, a number of other .cards representing `the nutrients in many kinds .of foods and different .portions thereof from which may be selected those representing the various different foods vand `portions. thereof to make up anv desiredl ration.

ln place of having individual cards to represent different portions of the same food, a single card representing -aIla-rge portion thereof may lbe provided and this card divided in sectionsl to represent differentpon tions of the total amount, as indicated by the lines Y on'the calory and protein bread cards, vas shown in Fig. 2. When such cards are used. and it is desired to use .a portion of the total `amount, the yadjacent card may b e placed to overlap `the portion not used and leave exposed only the portion -of food the ration is t0 contain. i l

.From the above description it is evident thatby the use of the invention a balanced ration may be easilymade upby an inexperienced person without having toV do anyV calculating. A.

'Y Inaddition to the above described use of the invention, the same maybe used: I

l. To compare the nutrients thatcan be bought in different foods for the same amount of money. g l y y To compare vthe cost. of foodsy that furnish equal amounts of nutrients.. i.

To calculate the cost of rations.V (If it izo isdesired to reduce the costy of the ration, try out cards on .the fields representing foods that contain the nutrients at less cost).

4f.Y To sho1 the nutrients in candy, cake, pie7 nuts and other things looked upon more as` relishes than a food.

To bring out the nutritive value of any 'food by comparing the nutrient with those contained in some standard food. A

6. (at) To 'illustrate the nutritive needs of man as affected by age, seX or occupation. (b) To represent the nutritive needs of animals as affected by kinds of animals, age, size and purpose for which kept. (c) To illustrate and make up rations for reducing Weight. y(al) To illustrate and make up rations that provide' the nutrients for increasing Weight.

This contrivance can also be used for showing hou7 long the nutrients from an acre or more, a certain number of acres or other units Will feed a certain number of persons or animals, or how many menor animals can be fed for a given time.

8. The contrivance can also be used to make motion pictures to bring out the different points heretofore referred to or can be made in small size for individual use or large enoughto use before an audience, or it can be made into lantern slides.

The above contrivance can also be used as a game. The problems can be for instance:

1. Make up the cheapest ration.

2. Make up a meatless ration.

3. Make up a Wheatless ration.

4. Make up some other kind of ration. f Y Y 5. To compare the cost of foods that furnish the same amount of nutrients.

6. To compare the nutrients in foods that can be bought for equal amounts of money.

lVhat I claim is f `1. A ration balancing -contrivance c'oinprisingtwo :fields representing a predetermined required ration, `one of said fields representing and having indicated thereon the't aggregate number of required calories and the othery thereof representing and having indicated thereon the 'aggregates required quantity of protein, and a number of cards representing the nutrients in different kinds of food, each ofy said cards having indicated thereon the kind of food ict-represents and the quantity thereof, the nutrients in predetermined quantities of certain ,kinds of food being represented yby two cards, :the one representing and having indicated thereon the number of caloriesrepresented thereby, and the other representingy and having indicated thereon the quantity of prokteinrepresented thereby, the-size of each card being in proportion to the proportionate number of calories or grams of protein represented thereby and the aggregate total of calories and grams of protein represented less by certain selected cards must substantially equal the number of calories and grams yof protein represented by their respective fields when the latter are substantially covered by their respective cards when placed end to end thereon. v f

2. A ration balancing contrivance comprising tvvo fields, identified by dieren't markings and representingl apredetermined required ration, one of saidfields representing and having indicated'thereon the aggregate number of required calories' and the other thereof representing and having indicated thereon the aggregate required :quantity of protein, and a number ofcards representing the nutrients in vdifferent kinds of food, each of said cards having indicated thereon the kind of'food -it represents and the quantity thereof, thenutrients in predetermined quantities of certain kinds of foodbeing represented by tWo.cards,'the one representing calories with amarking identifying the same with the caloryL field and having indicatedY thereon the number of calories represented thereby and the other representingprotein With a marking identifying having indicated Ythereon the :quantity .of protein represented thereby, theisize of each card being in proportion to the proportionate number of calories or` grams of protein represented thereby and the aggregate total of calories and grams of protein represented by certain selected cards must substantially equal the number ofA calories vand grams of protein represented by their respective elds when the latter are,v substantially covered by their respective cards When'placed -end to end thereon. y

3. A ration balancing `contrivance oomprisingtvvo fields'- representing a predeter-` mined required ration, one of said fields representing and having indicated thereon the aggregate number of required calories and the other thereof representingv andV having indicated thereon the aggregate required quantity of protein, and a number of cards representing the nutrients in different kinds of food, each of said cardshaving indicated thereon the kind of food it represents and the quantity thereof, the nutrients in predetermined quantitiesof certain kinds of .food being represented by two cards, the one representing and` having indicated thereon the number of calories represented thereby, and the other representing and having indicated thereon the quantity of protein represented thereby, the size of each card being in proportion to the proportionate number of calories or grams of protein represented thereby and the aggregate total of calories represented by certain selected cards must substantially equal the number of calories represented by the calory field, when the latterlis substantially .covered by said cards the same With the protein field andk when' placed end to end thereon, .certain .of 'saidselectedcaloryjcards having. characterjstics indicating correspondingprQteincards to beplaced 1" upon the vprotein -field,ithe.l ag'- gregateftotal-:y grains cgt-protein represented by said protein vcards must substantially equal the number @tristement-.protein represented bygth'egpretein field lwhen the -latter is substantial-ly,coNerQd-:by-said ca placed sidegb'y.;'sidethereolr e' A ration@ -b'alancing-v ycontrivanee .edmprising two fields, :identified by different characteristics andrepresentinga predetermined-required ratienf,fone, of said fields representing andhavingjindicated 1thereon 'the o aggregat'ef-y number. -lof required calories and 'the otherthereof trepresentingi and havingv indicated -th'ereonthe:aggregate required quantity of protein,` and a vnumber oicards representing the nutrients indifferent kinds of-,food and quantity thereof, theg nutrients in' predetermined quantities 'of certain Vkinds of vfoodfbeiI-ig represented.4 by two cards, 'the one .representing y and having v indicated thereon 'thefnumberof calories represented thereby and' the other representing and having indicated thereon the.; quantity opprot'einrepresented thereby, the size of each card ,being in proportion tothe proportionate number of calories or grams of protein represented thereby andthe v alggre'gzuiel total 'o1- calories represented by :certain selected card'sfniust substantially equal .the number of Scaler-ies represented .by .v the calory field, when: the latter-vis'substantially covered by vsaidcards-'wlhen'- placed end to end thereon, certain of lsaid :selectedf'calory cards having characteristics' indicatin -correspond-ing'protein cards to be placed upon the protein ii'elol,v the aggregate total grams 'of protein represented by said proteinzcard's must substantiallyequal 'the-number of grains of protein represented bythe proteinl field' 'when they latter (is substantially covered said eards'when placed end'ito endthere'on. l f5. A-ration 4balancing conti'ivance; comprising two Yfields representing a predeterln'ifiiedfrequired ration',-one`=of VSaid fields representing and having indicatedthereon the aggregate numb'erof required calories and the other thereofv representing and having indicatedy"thereon the aggregate required quantity of protein', and a! number of cards representing'the nutrients-in' different kinds of' food, each of said Vcards having indicated thereon thekind offioodfit` represents and thequantityfthereotgA the ynutrients in predetermined quantiti'es of 'certain kinds of fod"being represented vby twofcards, the onerepresenting yand having a indicated thereon the number of "calories represented thereby, and the other representing and having: indicated thereonf :the quantity of protein 'represented thereby, certain other .f'fod containing np'iii being' figasegeae represented byA cards having Vva markingdistinguishing thefgsaniepgfrorn the t other- Acards cries. andlgranisof protein represented'by their! respective-heide @when-the latter :are substantially covered by their respective cards when placed end to end thereon.

6. A ration balancing contrivance comprising two fields representing a predetermined required ratioin one of 'said fields representing and having indicated thereon'v the aggregate number of required caloriesy and the other thereof representing and having indicated thereon the aggregate required quantity of protein, and a-'number of cards representing the lnutrients in different kinds otfood, each of said cards having indicated thereon thekind of food` it represents and the quantity thereof, the nutrients'in predetermined quantities of certain kinds of food being-represented by two cards,- the one representingi and having indicated thereon'the number of calories represented thereby, and the other representing and having indicated thereon the quantity of protein'represented thereby, certain other kinds of food containing a negligible quantity of protein being represented by cards having a 'marking distinguishing the' saine from the other cards and identifying theinfwiththe calory field, the sizeof each card-being` in proportion to the proportionate *number of calories or grams of'protein represented thereby and the aggregate total'o'f calories and gramsof proteinfrepresented by certain selected cards must substantially equal the number of caloriesandgrams of'protein represented by ltheir respective fields when the latter are substantially coveredby their respective cards when placed end 'to end thereon. l -7.' FA ration balancing 7eontrivance *Y coniprising two vfields representing a predetermined required ration, one of said fields representing andhavin'g indicated'thereon the aggregate number of required calories and the vother'ztli'e` 1`"eof representing and having indicated thereon the aggregate Arequired quantity of protein, and a number of cards representing the nutrients in different kinds of food, each of said cards having indicated thereon the kindof food it represents, and the quantity and cost'thereof, the nutrients iny predetermined quantities of' certain'kinds of lfood being represented by two Cards, the one 2representing and having indicated thereon thenu'mber of calories represented there-l by, and the other representing and having indicated thereon the Vquantity of protein represented thereby, the size ofeach tard being n proportion to the proportionate their respective cards when placed end to number of calories or grams of protein repend thereon. 10 resented thereby and the aggregate total of In testimony whereof I ax my signature calories and grams of protein represented by n presence of tWo Witnesses.

certain selected cards must substantially WILLIAM C. PALMER. equal the number of calories and grams of Witnesses:

protein represented by thererespeetve fields ZACH F. WICKMAN,

when the latter are substantially covered by HARRY P. ANDERSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

